Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Islam has two
primary sources, the Quran, and the authentic Traditions of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam),

That explains and sometimes expands on that of the Quran.

Bismillah Al-Hamdu lillah WA salatu WA Salamu 'ala
Rasulullah

Sallallaahu 'Alayh

Allah's blessings be upon him

Or

Allahumma Sali
WA Sallam 'Alayh

Allah's blessings and peace be upon him.

The spiritual benefits of reciting these salawat are
obviously immeasurable.

Mawlid Barzanji is in 'Arabi, it has been translated into
Kiswahili by Mzee bin Ali Muhammad from the Comoro
Islands of Africa,

It is printed in Singapore,

Its introduction is
in the Indonesian language in the Java dialect,

It has been transcribed by Mawlana Uthman Abdulkarim
Nasserpuri Rahmatullahi 'alayh of Kenya,

It has been applauded in Zikr-e-Habib (Remembrance of the Beloved
Prophet) by Ad-Daa'ee al-Kamil Mawlana Abdul 'Aleem Siddiq,

Rahmatullahi 'alayh, who incidentally composed salaams in
Urdu,

It has been reproduced in countless other kutub (books)
including Baaqatun 'Atirah (A Perfumed Bouquet) of Imam as-Sayyidi Muhammad
'Alhawi al-Maliki of Makkah,

And it is recited from Makkah to Africa, from Madina to Singapore,

From Arafat to Jakarta and
from Mina to U.K.,
that is throughout the world by Muslims of all the four Madhab and all
Taariqan.

Mawlid al-Nabi in 2012 is on Saturday, February 4/5

Celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), Spread his message of love and Islam to all you
know.

Muslims celebrate Mila un-Nabi by gathering together to send
salutations to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), to give
charity to the poor, and to remember the birth and virtues of the Prophets.

In the countries where Milad un-Nabi in a carnival manner,

Homes and mosques are decorated, and street processions are
held.

Charity and food is
distributed, stories about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam),'s life are told,

And children recite poetry. Qasida al-Burdah Sheriff (the
"Poem of the Mantle"),

The famous 13th Century poem, composed by the eminent Sufi,
Imam al-Busiri, is recited by scholars and poets.

It is clear from this Hadith that the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam),

Was very happy about the day of his birth and so fasted out
of gratitude.

Fasting is a form of
worship, so one can celebrate this day by any form of ibadah.

One can fast or hold gatherings or provide food to the poor,
all being acts of worship.

The hadith found in Baihaqi, narrated by Anas, that

"The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam), slaughtered a `aqiqa [sacrifice for newborns] for himself after he
received the prophecy,

“Although it has been mentioned that his grandfather

`Abd al-Muttalib did that on the seventh day after he was
born and the `aqiqa cannot be repeated.

Thus the reason for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu
alayhi wasallam)'s action is to give thanks to Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala (GOD)
for sending him as a mercy to the worlds,

And to give honor to his Ummah, in the same way that he used
to pray on himself.

It is recommended for us, therefore, that we also show
thanks for his birth by meeting with our brothers,

By feeding people and other such good works and rejoicing.

“This hadith confirms the aforementioned hadith of the
Prophet's emphasis of Monday as the day of his birthday and that of his prophet
hood.

Milad UN Nabi (sallallaahu alaihi Wasallam) is amongst the
sacred days for Muslims.

According to my understanding it is very crucial for
nourishment and treatment of human minds and hearts,

Hence it is necessary
for Muslims to keep in their sight the Aswa Ur Rasul (sallallaahu alaihi
wasallam).

Fundamentalist
Muslims, such as the Wahabi / Deoband / Salafis sect, do not celebrate it.

Nowadays we are suffering sects and scholars who imposes verdicts of

Shirk and Bid’ah on
those who celebrate Mawlid an-Nabi Sallallaahu Alaihi WA Sallam

With great enthusiasm and integrity and due to which the
simple

And straightforward people who are less in knowledge of
Qur’an And Hadith get worried, doubts, nervous whether they are following the
Truth or not.

Publications filled with lies and deception which mislead
many Muslims into thinking negatively about the honorable Mawlid of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam).

These publications claim that to celebrate the Mawlid is an
act of innovation that goes against Islam.

This is far from the truth, and it is therefore necessary
for those who can speak clearly to help clarify and reverse the doubts
surrounding this most blessed day.

It is with this humble intention that I present the
following proofs in support of celebrating our beloved Prophet's birthday.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)
said, "He who innovates something in this matter of ours that is not of it
will have it rejected." He also said,

"Beware of innovations, for every innovation (kul
bida`) is misguidance."

Those opposed to Mawlid cite this saying and hold that the
word every (kul) is a term of generalization,

Including all types of innovations, with no exception, and
that therefore, celebrating Mawlid is misguidance.

By daring to say that, they accuse the scholars of Islam of
innovation.

At the top of the list of those they have accused, then, is
our Master `Umar (radiyallaahu ‘anhu).

Those in opposition to Mawlid quickly reply to this,
"But we did not mean the Companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)"

It follows, then, that the meaning of every (kul) cannot be
taken in its general sense.

Therefore, although the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu
alayhi wasallam) may not have said to celebrate his blessed birthday,

For, as the following examples show, there were many actions
and practices instituted by his close followers after his time that are not
deemed innovation.

Abu Bakr (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) and `Umar (radiyallaahu
‘anhu), the call to Friday prayer used to occur when the Imam sat on the
pulpit.

When it was Othman
(radiyallaahu ‘anhu) s time, he added the third call (considered third in
relation to the first adhan and the Iqamah.

But it is named first because it precedes the call to the
Friday prayer.)"

Salutations on the
Prophet composed and taught by Ali (radiyallaahu ‘anhu).

The salutations
have been mentioned by Sa'id bin Mansoor and Ibn Jarir in Tahzeeb al Aathaar,
and by Ibn Abi Assim and Yaqoob bin Sheyba in Akbar `Ali and by Al Tabarani and
others from Salamah Al Kindi.

The addition: to
the Tashahhud by Ibn Mas'ud (radiyallaahu ‘anhu).

After "WA
Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu," and the Mercy of Allah and Blessings, he used
to say,

"Assalamu
`alayna min Rabbanaa,

“Peace upon us from our Lord.” Narrated by Al Tabarani in Al
Kabir,

And the narrators are those of the sound transmitters, as it
has been mentioned in Majma' Al Zawa'id.

The addition: to
the Tashahhud by Abdullah Ibn `Umar (radiyallaahu ‘anhu).

"Innovation
is of two types; praiseworthy innovation and blameworthy innovation, and
anything that disagrees with the Sunnah is blameworthy.'"

Imam Al Baihaqi
narrated in Manaqib Ash-Shafi' that Ash-Shafi’ said,

"Innovations
are of two types: that which contradicts the Qur’an, the Sunnah, or unanimous
agreement of the Muslims is a innovation of deception, While a good innovation
does not contradict any of these things."

Al `Izz bin
Abdussalam said, at the end of his book, Al Qawa'id,

"Innovation
is divided into obligatory, forbidden, recommended, disagreeable and
permissible, and the way to know which is which is to match it against the
religious law."

Clearly we see from the opinions of these righteous
scholars, that to define innovations in worship as wholly negative without
exception is ignorant.

For these pious
knower, among them Imam Nawawi and Ash-Shafi' Declared that innovations could
be divided into good and bad, based on their compliance or deviance with
religious law.

Moreover, the following Prophetic saying is known even to
common Muslims, let alone scholars:

"He who inaugurates a good practice (sunnatun hasana)
in Islam earns the reward of it,

And of all who perform it after him, without diminishing
their own rewards in the least."

Therefore it is permissible for a Muslim to originate a good
practice, even if the Prophet didn't do it, For the sake of doing well and
cultivating the reward.

The meaning of inaugurate a good practice (sanna sunnatun
hasana) is to establish a practice through personal reasoning (ijtihad) and
derivation (istinbat) from the rules of religious law or its general texts.

The actions of the Prophet’s Companions and the generation
following them which we have stated above are the strongest evidence.

The ones prejudiced against celebrating the Prophet's
birthday have paved the way for their falsehood by deceiving the less-learned
among the Muslims.

The prejudiced ones claim that Ibn Kathir writes in his Al
Bida ya wal Nihaya (11-172) that the Fatimide- Baudette state, which descends
from the Jew,

Obaidillah Bin Mammon Al Kaddah, ruler of Egypt from
357-567 A.H., innovation the celebration of a number of days, among them, the
celebration of the Prophet's birthday.

This treacherous lie is a grave insult to the scholarship of
Ibn Kathir and the scholarship of all Islam.

For in truth, Ibn Kathir writes about the Prophet's birthday
in Al bidaya wal Nihaya [13-136]

"The victorious king Abu Sa'id Kawkaburi, was one of
the generous, distinguished masters,

And the glorious kings; he left good impressions and used to
observe the honorable Mawlid by having a great celebration.

Moreover, he was chivalrous, brave, wise, a scholar, and
just." Ibn Kathir continues,

"And he used to spend three hundred thousand Dinars on
the Mawlid." In support,

"One of the best innovations in our time is what is
being done every year on the Prophet's birthday, such as giving charity, doing
good deeds, displaying ornaments, and expressing joy,

for that expresses
the feelings of love and veneration for him in the hearts of those who are
celebrating, and also, Shows thankfulness to Allah for His bounty by sending
His Messenger, the one who has been sent as a Mercy to the worlds."

From these many evidences, it should be clear by now that
celebrating the Mawlid is highly commendable and allowed.

Surely we cannot simply shrug off as heretics the scholars
and dignitaries of this nation who approved the commemoration of the Mawlid And
wrote countless books on the subject. Are all these scholars?

To whom the whole
world is indebted for the beneficial books they have written on Prophetic
sayings, jurisprudence, Commentaries, and other sorts of knowledge, among the
indecent who commit sins and evil?

Are they, as those opposed to Mawlid claim, imitating the
Christians in celebrating the birth of Jesus?

Are they claiming that the Prophet did not convey to the
nation what they should do?

We leave answers to these questions up to you.

And yet we must continue to examine the errors which those
opposed to Mawlid utter.

They say "If celebrating the Mawlid is from the
religion,

Then the Prophet would have made it clear to the nation,

Or would have done it in his lifetime, or it would have been
done by the Companions.

“No one can say that the Prophet did not do it out of his
humbleness, for this is speaking evil of him, so they cannot use this argument.

Furthermore, that the Prophet and his Companions did not do
a certain thing does not mean they made that thing prohibited.

The proof is in the Prophet's saying, "Whoever
establishes, in Islam, a good practice..." cited earlier.

This is the strongest evidence that gives encouragement to
innovate whatever practices have foundations in religious law, even if the
Prophet

And his Companions did not do them.

Al Shafi' said, "Anything that has a foundation in religious
law is not an innovation even if the Companions did not do it,

Because their refraining from doing it might have been for a
certain excuse they had at the time, or they left it for something better, or
perhaps not all of them knew about it."

Therefore, whoever prohibits anything based on the concept
that the Prophet did not do it; his claim has no proof and must be rejected.

Thus we say to the rejecters of Mawlid: based on the rule
you have attempted to found,

That is, that whoever does anything that the Prophet or his
Companions did not do is committing innovation,

It would follow that the Prophet did not complete the
religion for his nation, and that the Prophet did not convey to the nation what
they should do.

No one says this or
believes this except a heretic defecting from the religion of Allah.

To the doubters of Mawlid we declare, "Based on what
you say, we convict you.

“For you have innovated: in the basics of worship a large
number of things that the Prophet did not do nor did his Companions, The
Generation after the Companions or the Generation after them.

For instance:

Congregating
OF PEOPLE behind one Imam to pray Salat al Tahajjud after Salat Al Taraweeh, in
the two Holy Mosques and other mosques.

Reciting the
Prayer of Completion: of the Qur’an in Salat al Taraweeh and also in Salat al
Tahajjud.

Designating
the 27th night of Ramadan: to complete reading the entire Qur’an in the two
Holy Mosques.

Founding
organizations; did not exist in the time of the Prophet such as Islamic
universities, societies for committing the Qur’an to memory, and offices for
missionary work, and committees for enjoining good and forbidding evil.

We are not objecting
to these things, since they are forms of good innovation.

We merely list these innovations to point out that those who
oppose Mawlid clearly contradict their own rule stating that anything that
neither the Prophet nor his Companions did is innovation.

And since they claim that all innovation is bad, they
themselves are guilty.

Yet another claim they make is to say that those who
commemorate the Mawlid are mostly indecent and immoral.

This is a vulgar statement and it only reflects the
character of the one saying it.

Are all the distinguished scholars that we have mentioned?

From the point of view of those opposed to Mawlid: Indecent
and immoral?

We won't be surprised
if this is what they believe.

This is a most
serious slander. We say, as the poet said,

"When Allah wants to spread a virtue that has been
hidden, He would let a tongue of an envious person know about it."

Those opposed to Mawlid, May Allah guide them, have confused
some expressions,

And claim that some religious scholars associate partners
with Allah.

Take for example the plea of Imam Al Busiri to Prophet
Muhammad,

"Oh, most generous of creation, I have no one to resort
to, save you, when the prevailing event takes place.

And fudala' (notables) of Mecca, sheikhs, zawiya teachers and their
students, ru'asa' (magistrates),

And mutaa` ammamin (scholars) leave the mosque and set out
collectively for a visit to the birthplace of the Prophet, Shouting out dhikr
and tahlil (LA ILAHA ILLALLAH).

The houses on the route are illuminated with numerous
lanterns and large candles,

And a great many people are out and about.

They all wear special
clothes and they take their children with them.

Having reached the birthplace, inside a special sermon for
the occasion of the birthday of the Prophet is delivered, mentioning the
miracles (Karamat) that took place on that occasion.

Hereafter the du’aa' for the Sultan (i.e. the Caliph),

The Emir of Mecca and the Shafi qadi
is performed and all pray humbly.

Shortly before the Salat al-`Isha', the whole party returns
from the birthplace of the Prophet to the Great Mosque,

Which is almost
overcrowded, and all sit down in rows at the foot of the Maqaam Ibrahim.

In the mosque, a preacher first mentions the Tahmid (AL
HAMDULILLAH) and the tahlil,

And once again the du’aa' for the Sultan, the Emir, and the
Shafi` qadi is performed.

After this the call for the Salat al-`Isha' is made. After
the Salat, the crowd breaks up.

A similar description is given by al-Diyarbakri (d. 960) in
his Ta'rikh al-Khamis.

It is a commonly held belief that the birth-date of the
Prophet Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam is the 12th of Rabi-al-Awal, in the ‘Year
of the Elephant’, Which is the year that the Abyssinian Emperor Abraha attacked
the Kaabah with an army of elephants.

There is no narration in the famous ‘Six Books’ of Hadith
that specifies when the Prophet Sallallaahu alayhi WA sallam was born.

Rather, the only narration that exists specifies the day he
was born, and not the date.

A Bedouin came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu
alayhi wasallam) and asked him about fasting on Monday,

To which the Prophet Sallallaahu alayhi WA sallam replied,

“That is the day I
was born on, and the day that the revelation began” [Narrated by Muslim].

Therefore, the Prophet Sallallaahu alayhi WA sallam was born
on Monday.

Mondays: of which month, and in which year?

For that, we need to turn to other sources.

Again, no standard source book of Hadith mentions any
precise date.

There are numerous opinions regarding the precise date of
the birth of the Prophet Sallallaahu alayhi WA sallam,

Some of which differ about the month, and others even the
year.

However, an overwhelming majority of historians

And scholars agreed that he was born on a Monday, in Rabi-
al-Awal, in the ‘Year of the Elephant’, which corresponds to 570 (or 571) C.E.

Innovations of
Guidance: Although most innovations are innovations of misguidance,

There are numerous examples of islamically acceptable
innovations.

Since the time of the Prophet, many good innovations have
been adopted.

After the prayer, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu
alayhi wasallam) asked who that person was.

The Prophet said: I saw less than 40 angels in favor of each
writing it first. (Bukhari)

The companion Khubab bin `Adiyy innovated praying two
rakaats before his enemy was about to kill him

And was the first person to do so. The Prophet was told
about this doing, but the Prophet did not prohibit it.

Al Bukhari (Malik and Muslim) narrated that the caliph `Umar
Ibn al Khattab (Radiyallaahu anhu): gathered the Muslims and assigned an imam
for them to pray the Taraweeh Prayer in congregation.

When he saw them the next day praying behind the imam in
congregation he said:

Which means: “What a good innovation that is?" `Umar
(Radiyallaahu anhu): used the explicit term (innovation) in his praise.

If all innovations
were misguided, `Umar (Radiyallaahu anhu): would not have innovated this
practice, nor expressed this praise.

The caliph `Uthman (Radiyallaahu anhu): innovated the first
adhan on Friday before the imam ascends the minbar.

Initially, Qur’an was written with letters like, ba, ta, sa,
and (ya), which did not have dots above or below them.

The practice of distinguishing between the letters by using
the dots notation began by al Hasan al Basri after the time of the Prophet.

During the era of the followers of the Companions Yahyaa bin
Yammer was the first to put the tashkeel on the letters of Qur’an.

Today, Qur’an is recited using these signs without
objection.

Muslims added the Mihrab (semi-circular, hollow structure
which shows the Qiblah) to the mosques including the mosque of the Prophet in
Madinah.

What is the meaning of the Hadith?

This hadith was narrated by Abu Dawood and it means that
most (not every one) of the innovations are innovations of misguidance.

It cannot mean that every innovation is misguidance, because
this interpretation contradicts the previous proofs and the proofs of Islam do
not contradict one another.

This usage is seen in Qur’an in ‘ayah 25 of Surat al Ahqaf:
Which means the wind Allah sent as punishment to the people of `Aad demolished
most of the things but not all the things like trees, skies or the mountains.

Similarly, in the explanation of Saheeh Muslim, an Nawawee
said: The saying of the Prophet, peace on him: Is among the terms which refer
to a general statement giving a specific meaning.

It clearly does not mean that every eye gazes the look
leading to adultery (the forbidden look).

The Prophets would never commit such an abject sin and the
person blind since birth would surely not have the forbidden look.

Let’s just imagine for a second that no Mawlid was ever
celebrated in history.

What would one conclude about such a celebration?

It is a means to a praiseworthy end (remembering, honoring,
and celebrating the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam).

As such, the means would also be praiseworthy, as long as it
is free of corrupting elements–

Which is the general case of the Mawlid gatherings of the
scholars and righteous and those guided by their teachings.

As for the claims of:“exaggerated” love or praise.

Subhan Allah! How can humans fulfill the praises of one
praised so highly by His Lord?

As for praising the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him
peace),

We have a great tradition of expressive praise of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), from his family members
themselves, his companions), and every subsequent generation.

Even if this celebration had not existed in the early
periods of Islam,

People should be pleased that the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) had been sent by Allah to this world as a mercy

And the celebration of the anniversary of his birth, if
spent in worshipping, helping the poor and needy,

Reading the Quran and poems that were concerned with love of
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam),

And wearing clean and nice clothing to show one's happiness,
all of which are good actions, was not bid’ah,

And that it was necessary to separate and prevent those
actions seen among the people that the religion opposed;

However, these actions did not make the day haram -

-that would be the same as suggesting that the incorrect
behavior exhibited by some people at the Jummah or Taraweeh prayers Made these
occasions haram.

When the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) was asked about the blessings of fasting
on a Monday, he answered

"That is the day on which I was born and on which the
Revelation was sent to me";

This suggests that there is importance in this day,

Few examples:

Giants of Islamic scholarship have accepted, praised,

And commented on the great poetry in praise of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam),

Such as the Burdah and Hamziyya of Imam Busiri,

Both of which have numerous commentaries by giants such as
Ibn Hajar, Zakariyya al-Ansari, Sheikh Zada, Qari, and numerous others.

The gatherings of Mawlid and Adhkaar which take place during
our time,

They are mostly
confined to good deeds, for example in them Sadaqah are given,

Dhikr is done, Darud
and Salaam is sent upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)
and he is praised.

The Sunna shows that the Sahabas would stand and
declaim/sing poetry in praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam)

and that he would
reward them lavishly as he did with Ka`b, `Abd Allah ibn Rawaha, Hassan ibn
Thabit, and many others.

There is nothing in the principle of Mawlid gatherings,

Qur'an and Na’ats recitation and distribution of food and
sweets accept what follows the Prophetic teachings,

Increases knowledge of his Sira among the Muslims,
stimulates love for him in their hearts,

And encourages them to educate their families according to
Islamic principles from the cradle to the grave,

"With utmost love and reverence, not manifested by some
formal activities only, but also through actual behavior of following the
Sunnah"!

Muslims celebrate Mila un-Nabi by gathering together to send
salutations to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), to give
charity to the poor, and to remember the birth and virtues of the Prophets.

In the countries where Milad un-Nabi in a carnival manner,
homes and mosques are decorated and street processions are held.

Charity and food is distributed, stories about the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)'s life are told, and children
recite poetry.

Qasida al-Burdah Sheriff (the "Poem of the
Mantle"), the famous 13th Century poem,

Composed by the eminent Sufi, Imam al-Busiri is recited by
scholars and poets.

It is clear from this Hadith that the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) was very happy about the day of his birth and so
fasted out of gratitude.

Fasting is a form of
worship, so one can celebrate this day by any form of ibadah.

One can fast or hold gatherings or provide food to the poor,
all being acts of worship.

The hadith found in Baihaqi, narrated by Anas (Radiyallaahu
anhu), that

"The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam) slaughtered a `aqiqa [sacrifice for newborns] for himself after he
received the prophecy,"

Although it has been mentioned that his grandfather `Abd
al-Muttalib did that on the seventh day after he was born,

And the `aqiqa cannot be repeated.

Thus the reason for the Prophet's action is to give thanks
to Allah for sending him as a mercy to the worlds,

And to give honor to his Ummah, in the same way that he used
to prey on himself.

It is recommended for us, therefore, that we also show
thanks for his birth by meeting with our brothers, by feeding people, and other
such good works and rejoicing."

This hadith confirms the aforementioned hadith of the
Prophet's emphasis of Monday as the day of his birthday and that of his prophet
hood.

Milad UN Nabi (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) is amongst the
sacred days for Muslims.

According to my understanding it is very crucial for
nourishment and treatment of human minds and hearts,

Hence it is necessary for Muslims to keep in their sight the
Aswa Ur Rasul (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam).

In the following three ways they can keep their emotions
intact.

1. The first way is
of sending Durood and Salaam which is part and parcel of Muslim's life;

They try to find
every possible time to send Durood.

I have come to know
about Arab world that if 2 people get into a fight in market then the third
says loudly:

This is the power
which Durood holds therefore it is necessary to embed the thought in heart of
the person on whom Durood is sent (i.e. Prophet Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam)

2. The second way deals with Gatherings

I.e. Muslims should
gather in great number and one person out of them

(I.e. leader) who is
fully versed regarding the Life and works of Pride to the worlds

(I.e. Prophet Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) should mention
them in detail so that the devotion to follow the way of Prophet (saw) awakens
in hearts of Muslims, for this purpose we have also gathered today.

3. The third way is although difficult but still it to be
mentioned is very important.

It is that Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) is
remembered in such a way that

Our hearts (and ways) become Mazhar (signs) of different
aspects of Nubuwwa

I.e. the feeling
which was there about 1300 years ago due to literal presence of Prophet
(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam),

The gatherings of Mawlid and Adhkaar which take place during
our time,

They are mostly confined to good deeds, for example in them
Sadaqah are given,

Dhikr is done, Darud and Salaam is sent upon the Prophet
(sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and he is praised.

Here are ample proofs from Qur'an al-Kareem and Hadith of
Beloved Prophet Peace and Blessings of Allah are Upon Him Which shows beyond a
shadow of a doubt that Celebrating Milad-un-Nabi Sallallaahu Alaihi WA Sallam
is absolutely Lawful.

Isa son of Maryam
A.S. submitted, 'O Allah our Lord, 'sends down to us a tray of food from the
heaven so that it may be an occasion of rejoicing

For us, for the first and the last of us and a sign from
You, and provide for us and you are the best of Providers. [Surah Al-Maidah,
Verse 114]

The day when food is sent from skies is day of rejoicing
(EID);

Then the day when soul of universe Peace be with him was
born must be the delight for the day of rejoicing.

Look what Allah has said:

And publicize
well the favors of your Lord. [Surah Al-Duha, Verse 11]

Allah himself commemorates Milad in Holy Qur’an as we do in
our gatherings, Allah Subhanahu WA Ta’aala Says in the Holy Qur’an:

It is He Who has
sent His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth that he may make it
prevail over all other religions

And remember when
Isa son of Maryam, said, 'O children of Israel, I am Allah Subhanahu WA
Ta's Messenger to you,

Confirming the
previous Book Turat before me and conveying the glad news of the Messenger who
will come after me,

His name is Ahmad! ‘But when Ahmed came to them with bright
signs, they said, 'this is an open magic.' [Surah As-Saff, Verse 6]

Assuredly there
has come to you a messenger from among yourselves, heavy upon him is your
suffering; ardently desirous of your welfare,

And to Muslims is most Kind and Merciful. [Surah Tauba,
Verse 128]

Undoubtedly, Allah
Subhanahu WA Ta’aala did a great favor to the Muslims that in them from among
themselves sent a Messenger

Who recites unto them His signs and purifies them and
teaches them the Book and wisdom,

And necessarily before that they were certainly in apparent
error. [Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 164]

O people! There
has come an admonition to you from your Lord, and healing of hearts, and
guidance and a mercy for the believers.

Say you, 'only Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’aala' graces and only
His mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice.

That is better than all their wealth. [Surah Al-Yunus, Verse
57/58]

And this is what we do, we celebrate; we rejoice; we do
spend our money to show gratitude to Allah Almighty on his greatest mercy And
Blessing

I.e. celebrations of Milad-un-Nabi because Qur’an Says:

And We sent not
you, but a mercy for all worlds. [Surah Al-Anbiyaa, Verse 107]

Allah Most High says regarding the disbelievers:

"Verily, from their Lord, that Day, will they be
veiled?"(Surah al-Mutaffifen, V: 15)

This verse explains that the disbelievers will be deprived
from the vision of Allah; hence by contrast,

It implies that the
believers will be blessed with this vision. Thus, Sayidina Imam Shafi' (Allah
has mercy on him) said:

"Allah Most High's veiling Himself from a people
(disbelievers) due to His displeasure indicates that a group (believers) will
see Him due to His pleasure.

By Allah, had
Muhammad ibn Idrees (Shafi' himself) not been convinced that he will see his
Lord in the hereafter,

He would not have worshipped him in this world!"

Counter
refutation of Wahabi/ Salafis Muslims, they say: Mawlid was not practiced or
arranged by any of the Sahabi,

Nor is there any
proof of it being done by Tabieen, these are the Salaf whom we follow and choosing
their way is the safest path.

Answer: There are many things which were not practiced by
Sahabas and Tabieen,

But later Ullama derived rulings on them looking at the
principles,

Therefore If anything does not contradict the principles of Shari`ah then it has always been allowed, for example the
knowledge of Jirah WA Tadil in hadith, the knowledge of Asma ul Rijal etc.

The point is that their Asal is found in Sharia, similarly
the Asal for rejoicing on Mawlid is found in Quran itself.

Question) Mawlid is Bidet al Dhalalah; the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said in rigorously authentic hadith that
all bid’ah are misguidance

And all misguidance are in the fire.

Answer: This hadith is not general but rather specific as
classical scholars have explained,

Such terminology is used in Sharia many times, for example
Quran states:

"Verily you and what you worship apart from Allah are
the fuel of hell" (Qur'an 21:98)

We all know that Jesus Isa A.S. is worshipped by Christians,

Now if we make this ayah general then Naudhobillah Jesus
(Isa) A.S. shall become fuel of hell fire too (Audhobillah Min Dhalika),

Therefore we have to understand the reality behind words of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam),

The Bid’ah which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu
alayhi wasallam) forbade were all new innovations which contradicted Sharia,

The dalil for this could be found in Sahih Bukhari

Volume 3, Book 49, Number 861: (Sahih Bukhari)

Narrated Aisha: Allah's Apostle said, "If somebody
innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our
religion, that thing is rejected."

The Important
Usool

We know from many hadith that the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) allowed new matters in deen, like few Sahabi
recited Fatiha on bite of snake,

They had no knowledge of it from Prophet (saw), but on
coming to Prophet (saw) it was approved,

Some people still argue that it was allowed in presence of
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), whatever he allows and
forbids we have to follow,

The answer to this is that the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) could never contradict in his sayings,

If he has laid down a
principle that all innovations are evil in muttaqoon terms then there is no
Jawaz of him accepting some himself?

Hence it is necessary
to check everything according to principles of Sharia.

One more answer to this is that Umar (Radiyallaahu anhu)
called combining sahabas behind 1 Qari as "Na’imul Bid’ah (i.e. Excellent
Bid’ah)"...

This is proof from Nass that every bid’ah is not bad,

On this some people also argue that Umar (Radiyallaahu anhu)
was referring to Laghw Bid’ah not Shari’,

They are asked to bring proof from hadith itself that Umar
(Radiyallaahu anhu) differentiated bid’ah between Laghw and Shari’
I,

Above all Usman (Radiyallaahu anhu) started the second Adhan
for Jummah, Salafis reply to this as:

They were Khulafa ar rashideen and we are bound to follow
them as hadith states so, the answer to this is same

I.e. had every bid’ah been evil then our pious predecessors
would not have contradicted themselves.

When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)
saw that the Jews in Medina
were fasting on the 10th of Muharram

He asked them the reason why;

They told him this was the day on which the Pharaoh had
drowned and Moses had been saved.

The Prophet said that it was more appropriate for him to
fast on this day and ordered the Companions to do the same.

This shows that it is a good action to perform actions of
faith as a sign of commemoration or thanksgiving on a day when blessings were
received or on which a person was extricated from a dangerous situation.

Finally, it can be said that to celebrate the Mawlid with a
number of different forms of worship and acts of charity as a sign of our love

And devotion to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu
alayhi wasallam) is a religiously legitimate. Moreover,

It is clear that those scholars who opposed such
celebrations were actually criticizing the unofficial attitudes and behavior
that were seen, emphasizing that it was necessary to avoid the celebrations at
which such behavior was exhibited.

Personally, we know every good that one has in life is
through the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam), upon him peace
and blessings.

All beauty that you can imagine is in its human
manifestation it is personified in the example, Person and conduct of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam).

And then, when one earns for Allah, one realizes that the
means,

The key and the door to Allah is the Messenger, upon him
peace and blessings.

Celebration of Eid Milad nabi (peace and blessings upon him)
is not

Only a praiseworthy event but Muslims considers the birth of
Holy Prophet as greatest event in the human history for which they are Thankful
to Allah, the creator.

Almost all of the renowned Islamic Scholars including grand
Mufti of

Al Azar, the world largest Islamic university Egypt and grand
Muftis

Of all Islamic countries, except Wahabi dominated Saudi Arabia
has declared celebration on the occasion of birthday of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (Sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) as means of forgiveness of sins.